I just installed my new y-pipe, and during the process, I couldn't get one of the cat nuts off, but I didn't want to take it to the shop and pay 25 bucks for them to remove it for me (lazy I guess). Instead, I took off the entire cat and y-pipe together (remove hanger, heat shields, and of course b-pipe bolts) and dragged it out from under my car. I examined the bolt, and it ended up that I stripped it from trying so hard to turn it and of course it was a rusty nut. So that got me thinking, why don't I just get a 13mm socket, and hammer it onto the nut since I stripped it? So I gave it a shot. It turned out to work great becuase the bolt was rusty. I got the nut off (after several coats of PB Blaster, good stuff) and was able to reinstall the nut, because I made a new thread, but instead of it being 14mm, it's 13mm! I finished the install today, and no leaks, or bees in the can. The car picks up alot better in the higher RPM range, and sounds a little different, mabye in a subtle way, but not that much different from stock.

So if anybody has this problem when they're installing their y-pipe or a new cat, think of the new threading technique, even though it's not the best idea. At least drag the whole thing out from under your car (cat and y-pipe) and examine it, and see what you can do, you might be able to get some more torque on that nut with it removed.

Thanks for reading.

BTW, I got a warpspeed y-pipe.

Dan

 

Or do it the easier way and get new bolts with nuts and some big, thick washers...

 

On my 95, the bolts between the y-pipe and cat are attached to the cat... and yes they are a b!tch to get off!!!

 

no small task. mine are in the same condition. Thanks for the write up

 

Could someone please tell me where I can get ALL of the bolts from the y-pipe to the muffler?

 

Heating up the stuck nut or bolt with a propane torch is the way to remove it without damaging it. Get it good and hot and use some penetrating oil after it has cooled a bit. Always works.

 

Dealership. They have the high temp exhaust bolts and only cost a dollar I think. I asked them for the nuts and bolts and they didn't even charge me.